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Hartley, Duff and Democrats Respond Following Repeal of Internet Privacy Protections by President Trump and Congressional Republicans

With millions of Connecticut consumers and residents in danger of having their personal information about their web browsing history, children, health, finances and location collected and sold, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) today announced his proposal to protect internet users.

Senator Duff’s proposal follows Republicans in Congress passing a measure—signed into law by President Donald J. Trump—that repeals a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) privacy rules adopted in October requiring Internet Service Providers to get customers’ permission to use and share. The Obama era rule also required ISPs to adopt security practices to help prevent large-scale data breaches, and to notify users, the FCC and the FBI in case of a major hack.

“President Trump and the Republicans in Congress are perpetrating this gross and outrageous invasion of peoples’ privacy,” said Senator Duff. “The Republican rollback of FCC privacy rules could mean that your personal information is auctioned off to highest bidder without your knowledge. That’s wrong and this proposal will help protect Connecticut residents.”

Senator Duff and Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) will introduce a legislative amendment barring any telecommunications company, certified telecommunications provider, certified competitive video service provider or internet service provider from providing its services to a customer on the grounds that the customer has not approved collection of the customer’s personal information.

“Congress thinks the American people aren’t paying attention—but they couldn’t be more wrong. Their disregard for internet privacy is embarrassing and indecent. And I look forward to working with Senator Duff and other colleagues to take strong action in Connecticut,” Rep. Matthew Lesser (D-Middletown) said.